Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate if vinegar and vinegar
with 3.5% sodium chloride could be used as an alternative to
chlorhexidine gluconate for disinfection of toothbrushes.
Materials and methods: The study consisted of three groups:
group I: 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate, group II: 38% white
vinegar, and group III: 38% white vinegar with 3.5% sodium
chloride. Two new toothbrushes were cultured to check their
sterility before use. Eight children in the age group of 6 to
12 years were given oral hygiene instructions and four sets of
oral hygiene kits. At the end of the 1st week, one set of used
toothbrushes was cultured to check for total viable count. Again
at the end of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th weeks, the 2nd, 3rd, and
4th sets of brushes were collected, subjected to respective
decontamination treatment for 12 hours, and then cultured for
microbial analyses. The obtained data were analyzed using
Fisher’s exact test.
Results: In group I, three out of eight brushes showed 1 to
10,000 colonies, in group II, one out of eight cases showed
>10,000 colonies and two out of eight showed 1 to 10,000
colonies, and in group III, all the eight cases showed no
colonies upon culturing.
Conclusion: Out of all the tested decontaminating agents,
combination of 38% white vinegar and 3.5% sodium chloride
was found to be the most efficient.
Clinical significance: Toothbrushes become contaminated
upon use and act as a reservoir for microorganisms. Thus,
toothbrush decontamination should become a routine practice.
Testing the disinfecting efficacy of vinegar and common salt is,
thus, beneficial as they are available in every kitchen.